Is Montessori / Private Schools Overrated?

[orangeapple]

Many of my friends are sending their toddlers to Montessori programs already. I never really considered it ... both my husband and I and most of my friends came from the public school system and most of us turn out just fine. We are not doctors or CEOs but we are living a decently comfortable life.

But the more I hear about it, the more I am worried. With everyone sending their kids to Montessori so early on to "get a head start" ... will my children end up not being able to compete??

 

[lozzy21]

It think they are. I don't want my child to have a head start, I want her to be a child.

 

[emyandpotato]

Personally I think they're wonderful options (Montessori) and would love to be able to send my son to one. There are many flaws in schools that are yet to be extinguished and could have certain negative impacts on children, some more than others (one very silly example: my primary school acted as if we were naughty if we needed the toilet in lessons, and I got so embarrassed to ever need to go that I have a huge phobia of using someone else's bathroom resulting in a rather difficult week on an exchange trip to Spain ). I think Montessori schools do offer an advantage in that they are perhaps more sensitive to children's needs and ways of learning. Private schools are different. They have many of the flaws of public schools, except I think that the overall achievement is higher because of things like a higher budget, and the fact that parents sending their children to said schools are often from a wealthy and sometimes more intellectual background, and so the children in general are predisposed to achieve; not to mention that things such as dyslexia would likely be diagnosed and supported much better in a private school. Also, if you're sending your child to a private school, you likely care about their education and so are actually involved with it and help out with homework and extra curricular activities etc which has a profound impact.

Going to a public school certainly isn't the end of the world though, and 90% of people here will be sending their children to one. There are many benefits of a public school, such as more integration with general society as opposed to only the very privileged, and there is often less focus on how much money you have (some private school kids I knew were obsessed with who had the best car/brands etc and at my school it was just normal if you were skint!). And anyway, many public schools (by public I mean state) are great, and if the parents get involved then they can become even better. Any benefits that a Montessori school could offer can no doubt be offered at home, too! Don't stress!

Sorry for the essay

 

[joeyjo]

It depends on the school and the system!

True Montessori enables kids to learn in smaller groups at eir own rate and following their own interests. I believe true montessori system is very beneficial and a very naturl way of learning.
Hot housing, many private schools including many with the Montessori label are a different kettle of fish.

 

[freckleonear]

Montessori isn't about getting a head start, it's simply a different philosophy of education. You can easily implement a Montessori lifestyle at home if you wanted to. But at a young age (I'm not sure how old your child is) the most important thing is a loving caregiver and being able to play and explore the world freely. I do Montessori at home and would definitely consider sending my children to a Montessori school if there was one locally, but that's because of my opinions on education in general.

 

[joeyjo]

Personally I think they're wonderful options (Montessori) and would love to be able to send my son to one. There are many flaws in schools that are yet to be extinguished and could have certain negative impacts on children, some more than others (one very silly example: my primary school acted as if we were naughty if we needed the toilet in lessons, and I got so embarrassed to ever need to go that I have a huge phobia of using someone else's bathroom resulting in a rather difficult week on an exchange trip to Spain ). I think Montessori schools do offer an advantage in that they are perhaps more sensitive to children's needs and ways of learning. Private schools are different. They have many of the flaws of public schools, except I think that the overall achievement is higher because of things like a higher budget, and the fact that parents sending their children to said schools are often from a wealthy and sometimes more intellectual background, and so the children in general are predisposed to achieve; not to mention that things such as dyslexia would likely be diagnosed and supported much better in a private school. Also, if you're sending your child to a private school, you likely care about their education and so are actually involved with it and help out with homework and extra curricular activities etc which has a profound impact.

Going to a public school certainly isn't the end of the world though, and 90% of people here will be sending their children to one. There are many benefits of a public school, such as more integration with general society as opposed to only the very privileged, and there is often less focus on how much money you have (some private school kids I knew were obsessed with who had the best car/brands etc and at my school it was just normal if you were skint!). And anyway, many public schools (by public I mean state) are great, and if the parents get involved then they can become even better. Any benefits that a Montessori school could offer can no doubt be offered at home, too! Don't stress!

Sorry for the essay

Very well put & much more eloquent than me - I blame the toddler climbing up the inside of the fridge!

 

[seoj]

I'm sure it depends on the kid- but generally speaking, and I've heard this from the many teachers in my family... by around the 3rd grade, all kids are on the same level. Obviously some are going to be "more advanced" than others- but putting them in school earlier or giving them head starts doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. If they are goint to excel, they will regardless... and visa versa.

Personally, I'd love to give my LO all the advantages the world has to offer- what parent doesn't. But I also think the right public school is just fine- our oldest has always gone to public school and she's excelled and in CAL (Center for Advance Learning) and part of her school district and want to be a nurse and will get colleage credit for the classes she takes at CAL- and it's all done through her school system and she's there part day and in her high school the other half of the day. They offer a lot more these days than when I was in high school for sure! But, I think a LOT has to do with each district and their funding etc... I would just do your research and decide what you feel is best for your LO. If, when my LO starts school the funding has been cut so much that I don't feel the school can offer her what I feel is Ok- then we would certainly look into other options. Some of it's about their way of teacher more than the circiculum as well-- it's all relative...

 

[emyandpotato]

^^^ I agree that it's nothing to do with starting early. My mum never taught me to read or write and instead read to me and let me focus on playing, exploring, and arts and crafts. At five I couldn't read the alphabet, but by six I was reading and writing at a very high level, and by sixteen I was getting full marks in English GCSE exams. Basically, pushing something probably won't make the child any better at it in the long run, and in fact it's likely more beneficial to allow them simply to 'be', and to explore their creativity and develop their imaginations. But that's kind of what Montessori is about, and in fact it's nothing to do with a head start. My cousin went to one and was not moved up from the preschool class til later than others his age as he wasn't deemed ready. He's now one of the most highly accomplished people I know, has a number of fantastic degrees, speaks many languages, and plays table tennis for Holland. Not that the last one is directly linked to Montessori, but still

 

[hattiehippo]

Montessori isn't about getting a head start, it's simply a different philosophy of education. You can easily implement a Montessori lifestyle at home if you wanted to. But at a young age (I'm not sure how old your child is) the most important thing is a loving caregiver and being able to play and explore the world freely. I do Montessori at home and would definitely consider sending my children to a Montessori school if there was one locally, but that's because of my opinions on education in general.

I would totally agree with this. Montessori is just a different way of doing things than the standard theories of education. This doesn't make either right or wrong just different and each may suit different children better. I have visited Montessori preschools in my job and tbh didn't feel they were doing a better job than good 'normal' preschools I go to.

Private schools are a different matter. Some are good, some not so. But a lot get very good results because they teach to tests and children with difficulties are either not allowed to attend to start with or are advised to leave as they go through the school.

 

[Destiny08]

i know its an unpopular opinion. but having taught in a primary school, I never once heard a good thing about montessori schools. honest to god. i was there for 3 years, in the staff room every day and every time montessori came up, there was nothing positive said.
i personally feel its too much focus and too much academically for young children.

Im teaching my daughter things at her own rate. obviously im helped by the fact that i have taught in primary schools, but kids need to be kids. i mean look at finland. they have free schooling, nobody starts till they're...7 i think it is. and they have no homework. and their education system is arguably one of the best in the world.

at this age they need to be learning about the world, not about academics.

 

[Larkspur]

Seems like a lot of people are really confused about what Montessori is?!

It's really nothing to do with accelerated academics, in fact, some could see it as the opposite. It's about allowing your child to learn in a way that's self-directed and aimed at their level, not turning them into doctors and CEOs.

 

[bookreader]

Can someone who has more experience with this philosophy recommend a good book for me to read. LO is 14 months and it looks like an approach probably quite similar to what we use at home, but a book would be nice, and there are lots out there.

 

[Rachel_C]

i know its an unpopular opinion. but having taught in a primary school, I never once heard a good thing about montessori schools. honest to god. i was there for 3 years, in the staff room every day and every time montessori came up, there was nothing positive said.
i personally feel its too much focus and too much academically for young children.

Was it a Montessori school you taught in? Cos I worked in Waterstones and we never had anything good to say about WHSmith

 

[joeyjo]

Seems like a lot of people are really confused about what Montessori is?!

It's really nothing to do with accelerated academics, in fact, some could see it as the opposite. It's about allowing your child to learn in a way that's self-directed and aimed at their level, not turning them into doctors and CEOs.

The problem is that quite a few schools use the Montessori label but from what I have seen don't follow the philosophy.

It just reinforces to me how important it is to see the school (whatever type) and really get a feel for it.

 

[freckleonear]

Can someone who has more experience with this philosophy recommend a good book for me to read. LO is 14 months and it looks like an approach probably quite similar to what we use at home, but a book would be nice, and there are lots out there.

"How To Raise An Amazing Child" by Tim Seldin and "Learning Together: What Montessori Can Offer Your Family" by Kathi Hughes are the two books I always recommend.

 

[special_kala]

I was considering the Montessori free school in my town but a few friends went to the tour and really didnt like it.

 

[Destiny08]

Seems like a lot of people are really confused about what Montessori is?!

It's really nothing to do with accelerated academics, in fact, some could see it as the opposite. It's about allowing your child to learn in a way that's self-directed and aimed at their level, not turning them into doctors and CEOs.

i do know what montessori is. i simply feel no matter how its taught, it's too aimed at academics and not enough at the real world. simply my opinion - it's not for me.

i know its an unpopular opinion. but having taught in a primary school, I never once heard a good thing about montessori schools. honest to god. i was there for 3 years, in the staff room every day and every time montessori came up, there was nothing positive said.
i personally feel its too much focus and too much academically for young children.

Was it a Montessori school you taught in? Cos I worked in Waterstones and we never had anything good to say about WHSmith

haha it wasnt montessori! we did have a lot of ex-montessori teachers, but i can see why the opinion would be a little biased

 

[Larkspur]

Seems like a lot of people are really confused about what Montessori is?!

It's really nothing to do with accelerated academics, in fact, some could see it as the opposite. It's about allowing your child to learn in a way that's self-directed and aimed at their level, not turning them into doctors and CEOs.

i do know what montessori is. i simply feel no matter how its taught, it's too aimed at academics and not enough at the real world. simply my opinion - it's not for me.

Hey, well, it's totally fine if it's not for you, but I really struggle to see how it's in any way about accelerated academics. Could you explain to me why you see it that way?

For what it's worth, my mother has been a primary teacher in the public system for 30+ years and when I said I was thinking of sending my LO to a Montessori pre-school, she didn't have enough good things to say about that. So it's not like all mainstream teachers think it's a negative thing.

 

[Destiny08]

i never said they all did. i simply said the ones I had spoken to didnt like it. I also havent said its about accelerated academics, i said it was academics focussed as opposed to real-world learning focussed. sure it incorporates some of it, but its more based on academic learning.

 

[Destiny08]

bear in mind, i do only have a focus in primary school and adult learning. so I have no idea about montessori for older children. it may be fantastic then! but for primary school aged children, specifically until the age of around 7, i personally dont believe that your typical 'learning' should be the focus. i think at a young age, the focus should be more on general skills. like learning to sit still or sing songs or even just following rules....learning to cross the road safely or how a supermarket works. general every day life skills as opposed to academic learning
i am perfectly on board with the majority of what montessori does, i simply disagree with 2 of her 'main' philosophies (again. in younger children. it may work excellently with others) namely - 'work' and 'self perfection'